Building links through education: Japan and the United Kingdom.

This article examines the challenges and strategies involved in developing transnational educational links, focusing specifically on collaborations between Japan and the United Kingdom. It identifies three main obstacles: the dominance of neo-liberal approaches in higher education, complex and varied interpretations of intercultural education, and practical difficulties experienced by participants in international education. The authors highlight five key factors that supported their successful collaboration over two decades: a positive and critical approach to interculturalism, shared academic interests in citizenship education, common professional concerns particularly in research and teacher education, organizational backing from universities and associations, and sustained personal friendships. The article underscores the importance of recognizing cultural differences as opportunities for learning and calls for international education efforts that move beyond economic imperatives toward inclusive and meaningful global engagement.